Turtle, you refer to Flying J as one of the “more patriotic companies in America.”
What leads you to make that statement ?
Well, the original Flying J logo was designed as a tribute to military jets, as well as the founder's own love of flying. The company was founded by O. Jay Call in 1968 when he had grown to 4 locations and he developed the truck stop chain concept. From the earliest beginning, Call prioritized hiring of military veterans returning from Vietnam. Pilot Travel Centers was founded by a Korean War Veteran of the Army Corps of engineers. Pilot has from the very beginning actively sought out military veterans for employees. When Pilot and Flying J merged not much changed in that regard, other than their philanthropic efforts towards military veterans has increased, and they actively partner with the military to recruit veterans to the company.
They were a charter sponsor and are an annual contributor to the Bunker Labs, which is a national not-for-profit organization headquartered in Chicago and built by military veteran entrepreneurs to empower other military veterans to start and grow businesses. Created in 2014, PFJ has donated $125,000 annually to the organization.
PFJ is also a major sponsor of Wreaths Across America. They are one of the principal funding sources of the National Desert Storm War Memorial, which was authorized by Trump in March of 2017. They also give money and time to several other veterans organizations. Eight of the current 76 houses of the Fischer House Foundation were built and then donated outright by PFJ. The houses are used by military families while their servicemembers are receiving medical treatment at a VA or other major military medical center. There are 76 Fisher Houses located on 24 military installations and 32 VA medical centers. The houses are between 5,000 and 16,800 square feet, and is designed to provide 8 to 21 suites which can accommodate 16 to 42 family members. There are no costs for lodging or meals to the family members.
There are other things, as well, most of which fly under the radar, but you don't get involved in those sorts of things if you aren't one of the more patriotic companies.
I’m confused as to only flying the flag when appropriate by military protacal.
Civilians or civilian groups or organizations are not required to conform with regulations promulgated by one or more executive departments of the Government of the United States. In the case of PFJ, they have chosen to adhere to the same rules of etiquette as is found in the military. Considering the number of employees and managers at PFJ who first learned the flag etiquette in the military, it kind of makes sense.
Warren Buffet. Genius, yes.
Involved in the day to day operations enough to know if Flying the flag at corporate locations is extremely low priority, doubtful.
Warren Buffet may or may not be involved in day-to-day operations, and almost certainly is not, but there is probably very little of the operations of which he in unaware.